Review: Anna Sui Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation 15 PA++

There aren't a lot of places in the GTA that sell Anna Sui cosmetics.  Only selected Shoppers Drug Mart and selected The Bay stores.  I picked mine up at SDM while they had the 20x optimum points when you spend $50 or more.  I chose this foundation because it is meant for dry skin, and because it was winter at the time I bought it, my skin was dry and I needed a foundation that wasn't heavily thick.

The scent:  There's a very light floral scent to it - almost unnoticeable.

Consistency:  Not thick but not too runny.

Application:  I've used both the MAC 190se brush and the MAC 187 brush.  I prefer using the MAC 187 for this foundation, although it does take awhile to stipple on the foundation, because this foundation gives a sheer-medium coverage.  So to get better coverage with this foundation and conceal some flaws on my skin, I prefer to use the MAC 187.  Using MAC 190se would require me to layer on the foundation and could easily get cakey.

Packaging:  Very innovative packaging.  The edition I got has a flower bottle.  I tried searching this same item on the annasui.com website, but found that they've changed the bottle this year to a heart-shaped.  Also, the bottle comes with a pump - very convenient.  Though sometimes it does get dirty.

What it claims: "Lightweight liquid foundation that provides sheer coverage.  Combines skin-friendly oil with moisturizing powder.  Smoothly glides on to hide pores and minor imperfections.  Reflects light for a flawless complexion with natural glow.  Broadly protects skin from the damage of UV rays."

Thoughts / Results:
Just like the name says, it's a moisture rich fluid foundation.  Doesn't dry out my skin which is what I need for the winter season.  When winter comes, my nose gets dry and skin starts to flake.  =( The foundation formula does the job well.  This foundation will last from day to night without drying up my skin.  It is a non-drying formula and has SPF 15, so it gives a dewy look.  Sometimes I would matify my skin with a pressed powder, while other times I would directly spray on makeup setting spray.  Either way works well.  Like it claims, it does hide pores.  As for minor imperfections, I'd say so-so.  Like if I just had a popped a zit the night before and used this foundation today, concealing the zit will require a concealer.  So to define minor imperfections will mean something like sunspots and blood vessels under the skin.
The one downside of this foundation line is the lack of colour variation.  There were only six shades with this foundation.  I'd say the colour I got - P05 - is still a tiny bit lighter than my skin tone.  To get my skin tone colour, I'd probably have to mix two shades to get it.

Cost: $38 @SDM

About half a pump gives this much of product

Left: Semi rubbed in; Right: Fully rubbed in

Product: Anna Suit Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation SPF 15 PA++ in P05
Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:
- Gives healthy skin, dewy look
- Sheer-medium coverage
- Has SPF15
- Non-drying formula
- Has a pump

Cons:
- Limited shades
- Skin needs to be in pretty good condition for this product to outshine - so no breakouts - but if only one or two zits, I'd recommend applying concealer first, then the foundation

Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

Yes, finally a review on the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.  I could only justify myself to purchase this foundation because I got it at a discount price at the Shiseido warehouse sale.  This cost me $14 CAD as opposed to $55 CAD @Sephora.

I've been using this foundation for over a month.  In terms of application, I've tried stippling it on with MAC 187 and padded it on using MAC 190se.  Both application methods give a flawless glow finish.  It has a liquid consistency, not very runny.  When stippled on, it is easily blendable, unlike some of the foundations I have had.  As for coverage, it covers the tiny red blood veins I have on my cheeks quite well.  However, don't expect it to completely conceal your dark circles as it doesn't work like a concealer.  Now in terms of long-lasting, it does last for a good 12 hours - with the use of a primer and I don't always take off my makeup right way I get home.  But by the end of the night, my nose crease starts to show that the foundation is wearing off. 

According to Sephora's description page for this foundation, most ladies feel that this foundation makes their skin feel soft and smooth, even out their skintone and make their skin look brighter and radiant.  Undeniably, to me at least, it does do all those features to my skin.  Even though these features are great, it has unfortunately dried out parts of my face - i.e. around my mouth and a little area under my cheekbones.  Basically, it dried out a bit of my non-oily areas of my face.  I started to see flakiness.  My solution to this problem was either applying more moisturizer around those areas or mix in a little bit of moisturizer into the foundation prior to application.

In terms of colour, Deauville is way too light on me so I can't really criticize on how well it matches me.  I can manage to slightly pull it off, but I look way too pale with Deauville on.

Overall, this is a great foundation but I need it to be a little more hydrating.  And with it being at such a high cost, it's definitely a drawback.  It's a good foundation for the summer, not so much the winter.

Product: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville
Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:
- Brightens and gives radiant skin
- Makes skin feel smooth and soft
- Easily blendable
- Moderate good coverage
- Lasting effect for the first 6 hours
- Evens out skintone

Cons:
- Drying for certain areas of my face
- Doesn't cover dark circles
- Fairly expensive

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

This isn't a review, but just a blurb.  I am absolutely lovin' this foundation.  I used my MAC 187 and stippled it on and I'm lovin' the way it settles and blends into my skin.  Problem is, it's a little light.  I had to blend it down my neck.  I could pull this off during the winter, but probably not so much during the summer.  =|  I'll post a picture of me with the foundation on, tomorrow, using the sun light as my lighting.
I'll review this in a week or so.  I need to test its lasting power.